India’s Naorem Roshibina Devi with her silver medal poses for photographs during presentation ceremony of the Women’s 60 kg Wushu event at the 19th Asian Games, in Hangzhou, China, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (PTI Photo)
Mihir Vasavda at Asian Games: After silver, wushu player Naorem Roshibina Devi from Manipur breaks down, dedicates medal to state
MINUTES AFTER winning a wushu silver, tears flowed down Naorem Roshibina Devi’s face. These, however, weren’t tears of joy.
While in Hangzhou, her mind was on the ethnic violence back home in Manipur.
Hailing from Bishnupur district, one of the epicentres of ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities that have kept the state on the boil for months now, Devi, a Meitei, said she’s spent sleepless nights worrying about her parents.
“I dedicate this medal to Manipur,” she said, flashing the silver minutes after going down to China’s Wu Xiaowei in the final. “I want to dedicate this medal to those who have been protecting and fighting for us.” (READ MORE)
Read more Asian Games stories below